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President Emmerson Mnangagwa

Nduduzo Tshuma, Political Editor
THE Zanu-PF Special Congress in Harare this Friday completes the reclamation of the ruling party’s liberation legacy that had been threatened by the G40 cabal that had surrounded former president, Cde Robert Mugabe, analysts said yesterday.

The Congress is expected to endorse the recalling of former President Robert Mugabe and the installation of President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the First Secretary and President by the Central Committee on November 19.

The Central Committee also indicated that President Mnangagwa would be the party’s presidential candidate in the 2018 harmonised elections.

The Congress is also expected to uphold the decision by the Central Committee to expel G40 cabal members such as former First Lady Grace Mugabe, Phelekezela Mphoko, Jonathan Moyo, Saviour Kasukuwere, Ignatius Chombo, Walter Mzembi, Kudzanai Chipanga, Mandi Chimene and Letina Undenge among others.

Political analysts and Great Zimbabwe University lecturer Mr Joel Mukusha said the congress is important in that it restores the liberation ethos that had had been lost through the G40’s destructive politics.

“It is an important Congress in that it brings the ethos of liberation struggle that had been challenged and threatened by some characters who abused the former President to push their divisive politics,” he said.

Mr Mukusha said Zanu-PF had done well by removing some negative elements from the party to pave way for the smooth running of the organisation.

“It also serves as a warning that the party will not tolerate any behaviour that threatens the party’s liberation legacy. In the absence of threats to the party, Zanu-PF can then come up with sound policies for the development of the country and its people,” he said.

Mr Mukusha hailed the Operation Restore Legacy by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces saying the initiative rescued both the party and country from a path to destruction.

The ZDF said the operation was targeting criminal elements around Cde Mugabe who were destabilising the government.

“The intervention was timely after a realisation that the management of the party and government was in conflict with the principles that informed the liberation struggle and corrective measures had to be taken as a matter of urgency,” he said.

Mr Mukusha said the reintroduction of District Coordinating Committees by Congress was critical in decentralising the party and connecting with the people from the lower levels.

Columnist and political analyst, Mr Richard Mahomva, said the party was almost torn apart by factional fights and Congress should ensure that unity is restored.

“When put in perspective, the factional wrangles which almost tore the party apart must be left in the past to pave the path for continuity. This Congress must integrate Zanu-PF to its timeless revolutionary character, one marked by unity and ardent subscription to nationalist values.

“The Congress must find the lost intricate ends necessary to redefine the party’s long lasting loyalty to a tradition of harnessing legitimacy for decisions from the people. The Congress must mark an end to personality cults’ imposition of their narrow interests to split the party,” said Mr Mahomva.

“The Congress must reaffirm a culture of consultation and consensus which in turn will produce an enduring basis for unity in the party and the nation. In that context the Congress should also cautiously reflect on the stumbling blocks to the party’s contribution to national unity, peace and development as the nation braces for post 2018 governance reforms.”

Added Mr Mahomva: “The tone of the entire Congress should assimilate those who had been entrapped in factional endeavours to repent their ways back to diligence, loyalty and unambiguous service to the country. The agenda setting of the Congress must also be corrective than vindictive particularly on those who fell by the wayside and are still declaring Zanu-PF their home.”